Central Florida Crusaders Announce Tom Traxler As Head Coach

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUSADERS ANNOUNCE TOM TRAXLER AS HEAD COACH

Orlando, FL – The Central Florida Crusaders have announced the appointment of longtime Orlando indoor and outdoor coach Tom Traxler as the team’s head coach for both men’s and women’s teams.

“Life is a really funny thing. You never know what opportunities will come your way and if opportunities would come back your way and to have indoor soccer coming back into my life is an exciting and welcome thing,” Traxler said. “I think that indoor soccer is a great product. It's fun, it's exciting, it's transitional, it's different. And I feel like in Orlando, I've had some unfinished business with indoor soccer, and I'm grateful that Andrew Haines contacted me and would give me the opportunity to come back in and work inside indoor soccer again.”

Traxler, a former member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies organization from 1989-1993 and local outdoor coach for the past 27 years, is a recognizable face in the Central Florida Soccer community. He has spent the last 16 seasons as the boys coach of Winter Park High School, where he has won multiple titles and is the winningest head coach in program history. Traxler has also coached Orlando’s previous indoor soccer team in 2018-19 and 2020, gaining valuable experience. For the last two seasons, he has coached the NPSL’s Central Florida Panthers, being named the Sunshine Conference’s Coach of the Year.

Traxler also owns and operates United World Soccer, a premier soccer outlet store in the Florida Mall and has previously served as a broadcaster for Orlando City SC as well as multiple USL Championship matches. Most recently, he was the color commentator for Chelsea FC’s matches in the US on ESPN+.

“Tom has been an integral part of Orlando’s soccer community for over a decade, making him a natural choice for this new role,” Crusaders Co-Owner Andrew Haines said, “We are excited for him to continue to help grow the indoor game in the Central Florida area.”

More details about the Central Florida Crusaders will be released in the upcoming months, including the announcement of assistant coaches, the home season schedule, ticketing information, and more.

ABOUT NATIONAL INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE (NISL): The National Indoor Soccer League was founded in January 2021 by a group of seasoned sports team/league owners with over 50 years of ownership experience. The league features both a Men's & Women's Division, competing in double header game days over a 20-game regular season that takes place between the months of December and April. Current teams include Central FL Crusaders (Orlando), Columbus Rapids (Georgia), Fayetteville Fury, Memphis Americans, Rome Gladiators (Georgia), and Tampa Bay Strikers. The NISL is committed to promoting and supporting our member teams, while providing an avenue for players, coaches, and front office staff to develop their skills and gain exposure for opportunities at higher levels, all while providing high-quality, affordable entertainment in the communities we serve.